Introduction:
Not everyone is good for belly dancing, neither every men suits in French cuts.
Politically correct people say, “It’s not my cup of tea”
………………………………..
“Hi! What is happening over there?”
“Hello! I am not sure why people have gathered. Shall I confirm?”
“I’ll be obliged if you can.”
“Sure! I’ll be back in a blink. Can you just keep an eye on my belongings?”
Pankaj was soon one of the several thousand persons standing on Indore junction, railway station.
Being demoted is not a good feeling, is it?
“Hey bhaisaab! Why all this Babel
“Don’t know brother. I am just a shadow in front of you trying to enquire the same.”
Some seventy five, OK pardon my rowdy exaggeration, fifty people were standing there. All Men!
Don’t get ideas, we still have good number of ladies traveling and railway is quite safe (An NGO studies says it is safer than Donkey’s back.)
Pankaj was representing one; there might have been others as well.
A straight line by the minute pointer and Pankaj succeeded to reach the enquiry counter, His Bag…Belongings!!!! Forget it.
Not any of his predecessors had anything to explain him. We Do Not Believe In Sharing…OH!!! DO WE??
“What’s going on? Something fishy?”
“Nahi Nahi! There has been some small problem in Intercity Express.”
Damn! Repeat that, you filcher.
“What problem? Are you talking about Nizamuddin Intercity Express?”
Heaven, do not say this. It is 10th of May. I am sweating like a PIG.
American PIG dumbo, our pigs are smarter.
He ignored Pankaj’s clamor, he has to. A tank full of people come daily and create brouhaha over his head. He announced over the microphone, “Train no. %&^*^ , Indore
Pankaj prayed, “Don’t say that, you black tongued.”
The announcer continued “has been delayed and will leave at 9:30 PM, with a 7 hours delay.”
“Your inconvenience is deeply regretted” He added.
“Aaraghghgh! I’ll tear up your belly and cinch your pancreas if you repeat your regret again.” Pankaj was quite poor in abusing.
Some 10 minutes later…..
She was still sitting there, eager but calm. How people from Venus maintain two different shades at a time?
Don’t ask me, I am from Mars. Ladies!! Any help?
“Hi! Are you fine?”
As if she is looking an exhausted Usain Bolt.
“Hiiii! Ya ya, I am good. Where have you been?”
Wow lady! Were your brown eyes not following me? Do I look a fool? Filth lies.
But then truly, lies wrapped in Azure silk duppatas are beautiful.
“Nothing! I have just been to the enquiry counter. Did you hear the announcement?”
Or are you making me the assassinator?
“No! What announcement?”
“Intercity to Delhi
“Ohhh! How long? I am traveling with the same.” Girls are cute when they are little worried. Of course, they are cuter when they blossom their smile.
“They announced around 7 hours. You can go back to the place you stay.” You have luggage equal to three hippos. Indore
No god, no. Please.
“No no! I am not a native here. I was paying a visit to my friend’s marriage and will have to wait at the station.” OK, this mascara, eye liner, ponytail… Now I got it. Huh! Even I can be stunning after burning 3000 bucks in a parlor.
“Hmm, I see! Then? Staying here for this long? At the station?”
“I wish I could move, but I’ll wait here. I have quite some luggage and then I am unknown to this place” Some? You say it again and authors of Oxford
I demand reservation.
“Ok! No worries. I was also about to stay. It is awfully hot outside. Let us move to the waiting room”
“Yes, which way?”
“Come; give me two of your bags.” You got a coolie for nothing.
“Hey thanks! You are a nice guy.
Waiting room had….. Room… WOW, I mean WOW!!!!
Pankaj was breathing heavily. He murmured “Lady, are there cement blocks in your bag, which I’ll have to carry again?”
“You said something?”
“No no! Was just wondering what your good name might be?”
“Hey! You should have asked. You are a bit too humble.” As if you have asked your collie’s name.
“OK, now asking. Here am I, Pankaj.”
“Sneha, from Meerut
“Great! I am from Varanasi
Two hours passed.
“Pankaj, you are quite quiet. See how much I have spoken, about me, my college et al.”
Because I am not wearing that Apricot stole. Because I am half lost. Because I just want to hear.
“Haan! You said something? No, I usually speak less.”
“OK, tell me what you do?” Currently? Staring you divine lady.
“Well, I am a software professional at an MNC in Gurgaon. I help in IT related issues petroleum industry faces.”
“That must be something very brainy. You look quite intelligent.” That means you are actually not.
5PM……..
“Hey Pankaj! Do you know some place here to roam around?”
“Did I not tell you that I have been here only for 2 days due to my sporting commitments? I do not know a thing.”
“Can we explore, if you do not mind?” My purse would, though I won’t.
“Let us go then.”
“Hey, but I pay for myself. You should not have any reservation for that.”
“Though I do not like anyone paying if I am there, but if it is a thumb rule for you, I’d rather respect that.”
“You are truly a kind hearted gentleman. Your wife would be a very happy lady.” Yuck!!
“Bring me down, I am not that good. Let us go.” It is not always very good to hear good words about you. Especially, when you are not good at praising others.
Somewhere on Palasia Road
To be very honest, he never did so in his entire life and it was not the SRK or Anil Kapoor’s feeling but still he was staring Sneha gulping Pani Puris.
“Hey, try some. They are very nice.”
“No, thank you. I’d look for some lassi.”
“Buy me a couple of Gulab Jamuns then.”
“Sure, but won’t you mind if I do so?”
“Eh! Friends. Can have something from your money.” Sneha lend her bare left hand out to shake. Pankaj tumbled, but was good at hand shakes. Thanks to corporate.
“So! Are you saying to buy clothes as well?”
“Hush! You are not that good friend yet.” Sneha giggled.
Why do they giggle, why can’t they laugh?
9 PM…..
“How long Pankaj?”
“Very soon. Do you want me to go and ask?” Am I the driver?
“No leave it, they would announce.” Really? Would they?
“By the way, will you move to Meerut directly or will stay at Delhi
“Will catch a bus ASAP. Hey! What is your coach number?”
“S7, yours?”
“Same!! Touchwood. Don’t say you sleep at night?”
“I usually do not.”
“Great! We will chat then.”
How long a girl can chat?
10:30 PM…
“So tell me Pankaj, what are your hobbies?”
“Why? Will you challenge me in cricket field?” Currently, listening you.
“You are too quiet.. Don’t you know how to talk good things to girls?”
“Hmm!”
“How do you define friendship?”
“Hmm!”
“Your take on love?”
“Hmm!”
“Any girlfriend? You must be having.”
“Hmm! Ahem..haan..nahi.. no, none.”
“Do not lie; there must be scores of girls who would fall for you.”
“Wow! How do you know?”
“Girls have 7 senses; I can foresee things you can not.”
“Great Deviji! Spare me. I am a fool.” Agreed, had no other way.
2:45 AM…
“Now sleep, I am sleeping too.”
“I don’t feel like. I’d sit for sometime.”
“Do you smoke? Guys awake till this late usually do.”
“Shut your mouth and eyes and don’t get ideas poor girl.”
“Ok baba! Don’t frown. It is already very hot. Calm down.” Giggle again.
4 AM….
Sneha asleep, Pankaj at the door.
What was this? Certainly not a friendly affection. He has been friends to many many boys and girls. It is something else. May be the thing called a tinge of love. May be..may be not.
Pankaj does not know. It is entirely new experience. He goes back, Sneha is still sleeping, divine..childish.
5 AM…
Pankaj still thinking, jotting down things. The page is full; he has no space for this thing.
He combs his hairs. Whenever he combs, he is confident and had made a decision.
8:30 AM….
“Good morning lady! Had nice sleep? Need some tea?”
“Good morning! No, will have a mouthwash first. You did not sleep? ”
“I did for 5:30 to 7:30. Need no more.”
“Hmm” Beautiful was a word to describe her. No more staring though.
12 noon, Nizamuddin Station….
“OK! Bye Sneha. Go safe. It was nice traveling with you.”
“Huh! Shall I ask for your number? Cheapo!!”
“It is 97%^**^&*, but do you need that?”
“Won’t you ask mine?”
“No, if you require you would find another person again somewhere. And if you really wish to talk, you can call me at my number.”
“Strange! Don’t you feel like calling me?”
“Probably not. I mean you won’t understand. It is some 8th sense.”
“You are a great philosopher.” Giggles…the same one.
“May be…:aisa hi hun main. OK leave now.”
“OK bye! Have a great day ahead. Will call you sometime.”
Pankaj walks and walks tall staring at sky, as he usually does.
Somewhere, Chitra ji is singing…
“Mere jaise ban jaaoge, tab ishq tumhe ho jayega……Tum bhi ghar der se aaoge
Jab ishq tumhe ho jayega”
Jab ishq tumhe ho jayega”
Pankaj can not be that… life goes on, a new sojourn, a new platform.
A dew drops on hot road....and vanishes.Music plays.
